Land leveler



June 22, 1954 Filed Feb. 27, 1952 F. H. POTTER LAND LEVELER 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Frank H Pol'l'er.

ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 F. H. POTTER V 2,681,519

' LAND LEVELER Filed Feb. 27, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Frank 11. P0 l'l'er.

ATTORNEY Patented June 22, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to land levelers of the type used in the spreading of loose or top soil evenly over a predetermined area.

The main object of the invention is to provide a structure for the purpose in question which includes a main frame of rigid construction and rectangular form, the frame being braced intermediate its longitudinal length, with the adjustable leveler supported from the braces in a manner to permit flexibility of adjustment and operation from a power cylinder preferably of a fluid type, the power cylinder being mounted and extending longitudinally and medially of the frame and forwardly thereof toactuate mechanism aligned with the support of the cylinder whereby distortion of the frame during operation is avoided.

Another object of the invention is to support and mount the power cylinder with its operating end adjustably supported in a slide bearing to permit operation with the least amount of distortion to the operating mechanism and to the frame.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a frame of I-beam structure to provide substantial rigidity in proportion to the size of the assembly and structural parts.

Further objects of the invention will more clearly hereinafter appear by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification and in which like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the leveler in operation;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective of the central part of the leveler showing the scraper blade assembly;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the entire assembly; and.

Fig. 4 is an auxiliary leveler attachment for the land leveler.

Referring to the details of construction, the frame which is of rectangular form includes side bars l and 2 and end connections 3 and 4, the points of connection between the side frames being braved by diagonals indicated by reference character 5. Transverse braces connect the side frames I and 2, these braces being indicated by reference characters 5 and I and being spaced. slightly to the rear of the rectangular frame. Longitudinal center braces are provided between the front end frame members 3 and the front transverse brace 6, as shown at 8, and a similar longitudinally extending brace 9 is arranged befrom a tractor or otherwise.

tween the rear transverse brace l and the end frame member 4. As in the instance of the frame, diagonals are provided at the junction of each of the frame members as clearly shown, these diagonals substantially tending to maintain the structure in rigid condition and the associated parts in alignment. Supporting the frame are the front casters l2, these casters being mounted on the vertical supporting pins it! and secured to the end frame member 3 by brackets secured by bolts IE. Rear wheels or rollers ll support the rear of the main frame, these rollers being supported on stub axles it which are supported by brackets positioned medially and transversely of the frame structure as shown, it being intended that the center of the axles will be medially of the frame and in longitudinal alignment with the supporting pivots 26 of the leveler blade as hereinafter described. Preferably pneumatic tires are provided on the rear wheels as well as on the front wheels, although this is a matter of election by the operator in accordance with the use to which the land leveler is to be subjected.

The body of the leveler is shown at 2| and is of arcuate form with a hardened scraper blade 22 riveted or bolted as indicated at 23 throughout the longitudinal lower marginal edge thereof. The ends of the body are bent at substantially right angles as at 24 to provide flat steel gradually tapered supporting arms which are pivoted on pivots heretofore mentioned. The pivots 29 extend medially through the side frame members l and 2 and are in longitudinal alignment with the stub axle supporting the rear wheels ll. At the point of pivot spacer plates are provided, these plates reinforcing the ends of the arms 2:1 and acting as spacers and bearing plates between the arms 24 and the side frame so that these arms are properly positioned with respect to the frame.

For operating the scraper blade 21, a power cylinder 30 is provided, this cylinder being operated by fluid means from a suitable source through the connecting hose 3! and 32 supplied The rear end of the power cylinder 38 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 33 bolted to the upper face of the longitudinal medial brace 8 at a point adjacent the end 3 of the main frame. The operating rod 34 from the power cylinder is connected by universal joint 35 to the main shaft 36, this shaft being supported at its forward end in a slide bearing 3'! adjustably and pivotally supported by the upright 38 supported at the rear end top portion of the medial longitudinal brace 8. The upright 38 is shown as provided with a series of perforations 39 through which bolts may be passed to support the bearing at a suitable elevated position to secure the most direct thrust to the main actuating rod 86. Supported on the top of the rear tranvserse brace 'l are the standards 40 and 4|, these standards being equally spaced from each of the side frame mem bers I and 2 and well to each side of the rear central brace 9. The upper parts of the standards 4!!4| are provided with bearings 42 in which the rocker rod 43 is mounted, this rocker rod projecting through the bearings #12 and having crank arms 44 projecting forwardly to a point immediately to the rear of the scraper blade 22. Suitable grease cups 45 are provided above the bearings 42.

Pivoted to the ends of the arms 45 are the hangers 46, these hangers being pivoted to transverse pins carried at 61 at rear spaced points of the blade 2! so that the blade 2! is freely suspended but under position actuation through connection of the main operating rod 35 with. the crank arm 48 rigid with the rocker rod 43. The pivotal connection 49 between the main operating rod 6 and the crank arm 4 8 is shown at is and permits fiexibiiit but positive movement throughout the operating mechanism, as will be obvious to one skilled in the art.

The medial longitudinal braces 8 and 5 are centrally aligned with respect to the main frame structure and in alignment with. these braces is the tongue 59 which is mounted in the housing 5i connected to the front frame member 3 and braced by angle braces 52. The tongue 59 is pivotally connected on pivot 53 within the housing 5i and the forward end of the tongue is provided with an opening 54 or other means for connection to a power structure. Inclined braces 80 connect the front transverse frame member 6 with the upper portions of the standards Q8 and il to maintain the latter against longitudinal displacement.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that while relatively light and flexible in general assembly therehas been provided a scraper which inherently is formed to provide the essential strength to stand the rugged work to which such structures are submitted. Also the assembly is simple, includes few elements subject to repair, and in every way contemplates a device of the type in question in which the blade is capable of accurate adjustment and positive suspension during operation and regardless of the adjusted position to which the blade is elevated and which elevation determines the load to which the assembly may be subjected. It will also be noted that the wear parts suchas the pivot pins are ail mounted for quick adjustment, repair, or

substitution and that such parts are so posi- 4 tioned that they will not be subject to contact with the load which is being handled by the scraper, this obviously eliminating wear on such parts. V

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a leveling device in the nature of a concave plate 69 which is adapted to be connected to the rear transverse frame member 4 for eliminating wheel tracks and smoothing seed beds, this leveler 69 being de signed to extend the full width of the assembly to be effective behind the wheels I l and normally is adjusted by the link H, cross pin 12 and support 73 to position the forward end of the leveler plate in an elevated position with respect to the rear end so that the earth being contacted will be urged downwardly and slightly compressed as shown. The amount of pressure the leveling plate 59 is to apply to the earth will be determined by the adjustment of supporting link Ti and considerable pressure can be applied to the earth to effect proper leveling where the wheel tracks or'the surface of the earth is substantially irregular.

If desired, the hangers 45 may be provided with a turnbuckle 46 as shown in Fig. l, to preset V the lifting mechanism.

What I claim is: r

In a scraper, a rectangular frame formed of I-beams, a pair of transverse braces connecting the sides of the frame and arranged in spaced relation, 9, scraper blade of concave cross section having its free end portions bent forwardly and.

tapered for pivotal connection with the inner side faces of the sides of the frame, a pair of standards mounted on one of the transverse braces, a rock shaft mounted in bearings at the top of the standards, a rigid arm connected to said rock shaft, hinge links connecting the rock shaft to the scraper, a hydraulic powercylinder mounted at theforward portion of the said power cylinder having its rear end pivotall' connected to the frame, a piston movable in cylinder, said piston being pivotally connected to an actuating rod through a universal coupling, a guide bearing for the actuating rod, an upright supported on the frame, means for adjustably and pivotally connecting the slide 7 bearing to the upright, and a pivotal connection between said actuating rod and said rigid arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 23,190 Smith Jan. 10, 1950 1,822,051 Lytle Sept. 8, 1931 2,124,625 Marvin July 26, 1938 2,277,889 Shumaker Mar. 31, 1942 2,283,744 Lethlean May 19, 1M2 2,459,591 Shumaker et al. Jan. 18, 1949 2,581,533 Hipple Jan. 8, 1952 

